We have a soft spot in our hearts for pre-loved furniture, or so it seems based on the responses to my last post. And the environmental benefits abound. So what do I do when I want to buy new? It’s an honest question. What do I look for, consider and where do I go?

It’s that time of year again...already! 2010 just flew by. Seriously, way too fast. They (and by “they” I mean all those people who are my mom’s age and older) weren’t kidding when they said that as you get older the years just fly by.

I spent Tuesday in Montreal and despite the cold, cold weather; I received a very warm welcome in my new role as the first ambassador to the Quality Canadian Furniture and the Quality Canadian Furniture Trends Display at the 2011 Canadian Home Furnishings Market (TCHFM).

I’ve never bought a brand new piece of furniture. I have pressed my face against shop windows of Canadian furniture boutiques, imagining a day when I would start to build a collection of pieces to make home homier.

Janette Ewen has been one of Canada’s leading décor and lifestyle experts for more than a decade, passing on her passion for design and fashion to avid fans through magazines, newspapers and television.